The Pressurized Coffee Can Mystery · AI Generator #GEN-7D1B8E71
Physics · thermodynamics
Problem
A barista notices something curious about their coffee storage system. They have a sealed aluminum can containing ground coffee that was filled and sealed at room temperature (20°C) when the atmospheric pressure was 1.0×105Pa. Later that day, during a thunderstorm, the atmospheric pressure drops to 0.94×105Pa while the temperature remains constant. The can has rigid walls and contains mostly air in the spaces between the coffee grounds.
The barista observes that when they try to open the can with a standard can opener, it requires significantly more force than usual, and when the seal is finally broken, there's an audible "whoosh" as air rushes into the can.
What is the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the can just before it's opened during the storm?